Flight delay compensation

Notably, the Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 does not clearly obliges airlines to pay the flight compensation for a delayed flight. But the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that passengers whose flights are delayed should have the same rights to compensation as ones whose flights are cancelled.

Therefore, when your flight is delayed for over 3 hours at the airport or arrival or at the airport of final destination (in case of indirect flights), you are entitled to the compensation under the Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

Additional EU passengers’ rights in special flight delay cases:

Importantly it is clearly written in the Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 that when an operating air carrier reasonably expects a flight to be delayed beyond its scheduled time of departure:

1) for 2 hours or more - flight distance 1 500 kilometres or less; or

2) for 3 hours or more - flights within EU only distance more than 1 500 kilometres / all other flights distance 1 500 - 3 500 kilometres; or

3) for 4 hours or more – all flights not falling under (1) or (2),

in addition to flight compensation passengers shall be offered by the operating airline:

✓ free of charge meals and refreshments and two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails; and

✓ free of charge hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and place of accommodation - when airline reasonably expects a time of actual departure is at least the day from the original time of scheduled departure; and

✓ reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket or a return flight to the first point of departure, at the earliest opportunity, - when the delay is at least 5 hours.

Disclaimer: above information is provided for information purposes only. You should check proper assistance from AirAdvisor or seek another lawyer since every individual case may be different and laws and regulations are subject to occasional change without notice. We are tracking relevant changes and dedicated to provide up to date information, however, we cannot give any warranty of information accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or fitness for any particular purpose. Nor should this information be construed as legal advice. Information provided herein can be amended without notice.

When using AirAdvisor services our competent team will work hard on your behalf to ensure maximum possible chances of receiving a compensation for delayed flight, cancelled flight or denied boarding.

How much can you claim

€ 250

up to 1500 km

€ 400

1500 km to 3500 km

€ 600

from 3500 km

We'll help you receive compensation for the past 3 years if your flight was delayed/cancelled or if you were denied boarding.